Remember when rock stars were rebels?
Remember when they were supposed to challenge authority, question power, and tell the establishment to get lost?
Apparently those days are over.
This October, a collection of millionaire musicians will gather outside Washington, D.C. to warn Americans that “fascism” is everywhere while enjoying corporate sponsorships, private security, luxury tour buses, and multimillion-dollar careers.
Leading the charge is Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, a man who spent decades selling anti-establishment rebellion only to become one of the establishment’s most reliable political activists.
Joining him will be Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Jack Black, and a parade of celebrity activists who seem convinced that the greatest threat facing America is not inflation, crime, border chaos, or endless government spending.
No, according to these rock legends, the real danger is that voters might disagree with them.
The festival promises “peace, love, justice, and music.”
Of course, we’ve heard this song before.
Every election cycle brings another celebrity emergency. Democracy is ending. Fascism is rising. Civilization is collapsing. Then somehow everyone survives until the next fundraising concert.
Perhaps the funniest part is watching musicians who became wealthy through capitalism lecture working Americans about justice while charging hundreds of dollars for tickets and merchandise.
These are not rebels.
They are the court musicians of the political establishment.
The old Rage Against the Machine would have mocked government-approved narratives, challenged elite institutions, and questioned those in power.
The new Rage Against the Machine simply performs at rallies for the people in power.
They aren’t raging against the machine anymore.
They’re opening for it.